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View Full Version : Self Defense in the news 7/28/10



Irish
07-28-10, 14:34
2 stories of self defense in the news that I found pretty interesting.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=181341

One gun isn't enough.

That was what Linda Smith (a pseudonym) was thinking after two thugs broke into her Oklahoma apartment. One was holding a weapon (she initially thought it was a knife but it turned out to be a screwdriver) at her throat, and the other was pacing back and forth while holding her purse and demanding her money and valuables. She screamed, and was told if she screamed again, she'd be dead.

She was doing as police recommend in robberies – comply with a robber's demands. But her Lady Smith & Wesson .38 special, which she carries by permit, was hidden in her purse – and the purse was being held by one of the attackers.

Then the situation, suddenly, got much, much worse: One of the robbers demanded that she take off her clothes.

"Come on, what are you waiting for," he told her as he started to yank on her sweatpants, trying to take them off.

Smith pleaded for her safety and distracted the attackers by telling them she would get her money, which was "in my purse."

The robbers inexplicably allowed her to drop to her knees and crawl across the floor to her purse, which the second attacker had dropped.

She reached inside, and the first shot was clear of the muzzle and into the torso of one of the attackers before she even pulled the weapon clear of the purse. Four more shots followed shortly and, in the end, one of the attackers was dead and the second was hospitalized facing a murder rap for having participated in a felony in which someone died.

Smith, in an exclusive interview with WND, explained she comes from a family that believes in self-reliance and courage.

"I choose to carry a concealed firearm, because even though I am immensely grateful for the protection from our police departments, I realize they're not God, so they can't be everywhere at once.

"Deadly situations can happen in the blink of an eye," she said. "If you are not proactive … you are a vulnerable target."

Smith, an Endowment member of the National Rifle Association, said she's carried a gun for almost half a decade, but never dreamed she'd be in a situation where she'd have to use it to defend her life. But she's glad the training she's had over the years kicked in at a time when it saved her from injury, or possibly much worse.

"Ironically, I thought I was really prepared," she told WND. "I remember that night and saw my life flash before my eyes. Darreon Carter, the man who was attempting to rape me, had me pinned down to my couch, with a knife at my throat. I knew I didn't have access to my gun. I thought to myself, I really need to have a firearm for my home, and directly on my person."

FOLLOW LINK FOR REST OF ARTICLE

Irish
07-28-10, 14:35
Follow link for video: http://www.wftv.com/news/24391804/detail.html

POLK COUNTY, Fla. -- A Polk County homeowner fought back against armed home invaders and may have killed one of them.

Investigators say three men with bandanas over their faces kicked in the front door and tied up the four residents on Sunday.

The homeowner freed himself, grabbed a gun and opened fire on the crooks.

The suspects fled the scene, but 30 minutes later Osceola County deputies received a call about a body in front of a vacant home in Kissimmee. The body turned out to be 25-year-old Berthony Pascal. Investigators believe he was one of the men involved in the home invasion.

"Our neighborhoods had a few instances of things but it usually comes from the outside in. Obviously, in this case, it's done the same thing," said Tom Franklin, resident.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 32-year-old Steeve Vernet Monday and was charged with armed burglary of a dwelling, robbery with a firearm and second-degree murder.

Authorities are still searching for the other suspect involved.

None of the residents were injured.

The homeowner who opened fire will likely not face charges

jklaughrey
07-28-10, 14:42
It is tragic that sometimes occurrences such as these happen. But all the more reason as a citizen to be self reliant and have situational awareness. Glad all parties were unharmed...except for the criminals of course.

Alex V
07-29-10, 08:26
I love reading these stories, but they always make me furious that I can not protect myself where I live... :mad:

tampam4
07-29-10, 08:36
Fantastic job by the woman to be able to have the mindset of knowing her gun was in her purse, and how she could get to it without raising suspicion. I guess for the bad guys "complacency kills":cool:




I love reading these stories, but they always make me furious that I can not protect myself where I live... :mad:

:ph34r:
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT3JS_oV5yJsSTHk478TbkyXhsk6B_bavq_Kzy5IPTpZsIyKhw&t=1&usg=__flWNvJUjMqHDjDXfMC3n33Azhq4=

Irish
07-29-10, 09:14
I love reading these stories, but they always make me furious that I can not protect myself where I live... :mad:

One of many reasons I left California.